Harder than bringing in or leaving out any player is to replace an entire plan.

“Lee has been widely regarded as one of the country’s top attack coaches,” said Borthwick in September as he welcomed attack coach Lee Blackett on board full-time.

“His teams play fast, exciting rugby that consistently look to score tries.”

Blackett impressed in a temporary stint on the summer tour of Argentina. England scored seven tries across their two Test victories over the Pumas.

In his final season with Bath he coaxed 96 regular-season tries out of the eventual Premiership champions – the most any team had scored in the three seasons since the league contracted with the loss of Wasps, Worcester and London Irish.

Blackett was also inheriting an England side that had enjoyed a stellar 2025 Six Nations campaign, racking up 25 tries – the most they have managed in almost a quarter of a century – under the guidance of Richard Wigglesworth.

Somewhere along the line, though, England have misplaced their cutting edge.

They have 14 tries and a clutch of wasted opportunities and platforms to show from this season’s competition.

Once again against Italy – as in their defeats by Scotland and Ireland – they averaged less than two points per 22m entry. That figure is substantially below par for any team with serious title aspirations.

The players have insisted they are happy with the tactics they are being asked to play, but Blackett and Wigglesworth are an excellent brains trust for Borthwick to consult if he decides to reshape the gameplan.

While tactics based around the aerial contest, territory and minimising risk have been a feature of Borthwick’s teams since he took charge of Leicester in his first head coach role in 2020, he has shown flexibility on defence.

The ultra-aggressive blitz that former defence coach Felix Jones implemented in 2024 has been tempered, with cohesion now valued over line speed.

A shift in attack, which brings England’s undoubted talent to bear and leaves them less dependent on the bounce of a tapped-back ball, could be timely.

LONDON (AP) — A major fire in the heart of Glasgow crippled Scottish train services Monday as firefighters worked to douse the blaze that destroyed a four-story building near Scotland’s busiest railway station.

Glasgow Central Station was closed and all travel to, from and through the station was expected to be disrupted, according to rail operators. There was no estimate when the station would reopen.

The fire broke out Sunday afternoon in a vape shop on Union Street, next to the station. Flames engulfed the building, filling the frames of windows and shooting from the dome-capped roof.

The building, which dates to 1851, collapsed as it burned through the night, leaving only the facade standing.

Paul Sweeney, a member of the Scottish Parliament, likened it to the remains left after the Nazi bombing of Britain in 1940-41.

“It’s been completely wiped out, destroyed,” Sweeney told the BBC. “The building is a gutted shell. It looks like something out of the Blitz.”

There were no injuries reported, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said.

People standing behind a police roadblock said they were shocked to see the ruins.

“It’s just so sad,” Emma Reid said. “It’s such an iconic building.”

A cafe, fish and chip shop and hair salon were among the businesses wrecked by the fire.

“We are absolutely devastated to confirm that the shop has sadly been destroyed in the fire,” Sexy Coffee said on Instagram, though it vowed to rebuild.

According to National Gas, Britain had 6,999 gigawatt hours (GWh) of fossil gas stored this month

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Energy crisis fears are rising following claims the UK has ‘two days’ worth of gas stored. This follows reports that tankers carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) are being diverted from their course from Europe towards Asia since the war.

According to National Gas, which owns and operates the gas national transmission system, Britain had 6,999 gigawatt hours (GWh) of fossil gas stored on March 7. This compares with 9,105 GWh the previous year, the Daily Star reports.

Maximum capacity is reportedly 12 days of gas and current storage levels equal to under two days of reserves, prompting concerns that Great Britain could dry up if the Iran crisis escalates further. However, National Gas said even when storage stocks are low, Great Britain continues to receive large volumes of gas from other sources, reports the Guardian.

A National Gas spokesperson said: “Britain’s gas storage levels are broadly in line with what we would expect at this point in the year and are comparable to this time last year. It’s important to remember that storage makes up only a small part of Britain’s diverse gas supply mix.

“Most of our gas comes from the UK continental shelf and Norway, complemented by LNG, interconnectors with continental Europe, and storage. Great Britain benefits from a wide range of supply sources that the market draws on every day.

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“Together, these provide the flexibility needed to balance supply and demand reliably throughout the year.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “It is categorically untrue that the UK only has access to two days of gas supply. We have a diverse energy mix and are confident in our security of supply. “Gas will continue to play a key role in our diverse and resilient energy system as we transition to more secure, clean homegrown energy. We are working with industry to ensure the gas system is fit for the future, including maintaining security of supply in the rarest scenarios.”

According to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, at least two tankers have redirected in the middle of the Atlantic from Europe to Asia since Friday. It comes after three similar diversions were reported last week.

Gas prices have steeply increased since the US and Israel began intense airstrikes on Iran 10 days ago. UK month-ahead gas prices rose last week to 137p a therm, up from 78.5p a therm before the Iran war began.

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Micklegate has closed between its junctions with Priory Street and Bar Lane with the closure due to run every day from today (March 9) until Monday, March 23 from 8am – 5pm.

It comes after City of York Council announced that the street would be closed for sewer works to be carried out close to the new Aparthotel Micklegate building.

Recommended reading:

Micklegate is closed to motorists from March 9 (Image: Newsquest)

A council spokesperson said: “It is envisaged that access will be maintained for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the works period.

“An alternative route for diverted vehicles will be signed during the works period via Nunnery Lane, Bishopgate Street, Skeldergate Bridge, Tower Street, Clifford Street, Nessgate, Low Ousegate, Bridge Street.”

The stretch of road may be re-opened at an earlier date if sewer works are completed before the scheduled finishing time.

Traffic signs and barriers will be in place to re-direct motorists, and residents will maintain access to their homes.

Emergency services will still be able to proceed down Micklegate.

For more information please contact highway.regulation@york.gov.uk.

Aparthotel Micklegate is replacing vacant commercial units in the street, which previously housed a van hire centre and a restaurant.

The disused Minster Vans property at 111, Micklegate latterly became home to a vibrant pop-up space for artists and crafters in a partnership between Social Vision and the then developers North Star to help grassroots organisations showcase their work.

Planning permission was granted back in 2020 to redevelop the site, with the application stating it would create around 45 new jobs.

It said the aparthotel would also include a new bar and restaurant space.

Architects brown + company, in Blossom Street, is behind the building designs.

brown + company (www.brownandcompany.uk) are York’s leading architects with major projects also including St Peter’s School, Coney Street Riverside, The Mount Royale and 23, Piccadilly in York, together with Hotham Hall Estate in East Yorkshire and St Paul’s Street in Leeds.

At St Peter’s the work that brown + company is undertaking began by creating a masterplan for the new school campus, before breaking that down into specific phases. To facilitate the two-school model, the key aims are to create a dedicated Junior school for pre-school to Year 6 and to create a new Sixth Form Centre. This work entails a full architectural service from design to job-running to post-construction care.

He has taken up the newly created role of Bede Librarian, which aims to promote the cathedral’s archives and collections and foster greater engagement with the legacy of the Venerable Bede—scholar, theologian, and the “father of English history.”

Co-host of ‘The Rest is History’, a podcast under Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger umbrella, he was a winner of Apple Podcasts’ Global Show of the Year in 2025 – the first time a non-American show carried home the gong.

Mr Holland said: “Bede is the father of English history – so what greater honour could there possibly for an English historian than to be appointed the Bede Librarian in the cathedral where he lies buried.”

He will be formally inaugurated as Bede Librarian during the Festal Evensong for Bede on Monday, May 25, at 5.30pm.

Did the Ancient Greeks have a ‘death ray’? pic.twitter.com/AlV5P2eISe

— The Rest Is History (@TheRestHistory) February 3, 2026

The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, said: “I am thrilled that Tom Holland has accepted the role of Bede Librarian at Durham Cathedral and will be contributing to our life and mission in the years to come.

“Tom is not only an outstanding historian and communicator but also deeply committed to the North East, our saints, and our stories.

“It will be wonderful to have him speaking about such a vital topic as the renewal of our culture and what we can – and must – learn from the past.

“I am also delighted that he will be helping Durham Cathedral share our wonderful archives and collections with an even wider audience.”

Mr Holland will deliver his inaugural lecture in the role on Tuesday, May 26, at 7.30pm at Durham Cathedral.

Titled ‘Cuthbert, Bede and the Renewal of Culture,’ the talk will be a conversation with the Dean of Durham.

He will discuss the influence of Saxon saints Cuthbert and Bede on cultural renewal through leadership and scholarship, reflecting on their continuing relevance in today’s world, marked by “global insecurity, cultural tribalism, and political volatility.”

Mr Holland will be Anna Rowlands, St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University.

Princess Kate was seen approaching her husband Prince William after a tense exchange with Prince Andrew at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, with her four-word comment caught by a lip reader

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Princess Kate’s four-word remark to Prince William following a tense interaction with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been disclosed by a lip-reader. The former Duke of York approached William whilst both attended the Duchess of Kent’s funeral on September 16.

The exchange occurred as senior royals departed the service whilst awaiting their vehicles. In a new Channel 5 documentary, lip-reader Nicola Hickling suggests Andrew seized the opportunity to seek his nephew’s forgiveness.

In Lip-Reading the Royals, Nicola claims Andrew stated: “I’ve learnt from what I’ve done but before I forget, and if I can, I’d like to ask you if you can forgive?”.

Body language expert Adrienne Carter suggests the question left William “extremely uncomfortable”. She continued: “I think his body language is screaming, ‘Get away from me, I don’t want to be photographed, particularly engaging with you’.”

Queen Elizabeth II’s former press secretary Dickie Arbitar observed: “William’s face said everything, ‘I don’t want to converse with you, push off’. And I think Andrew probably got the message.”

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Following Andrew’s departure from the future king, the Princess of Wales is observed approaching her husband on Westminster Cathedral’s steps. According to Hickling, Kate then remarks: “He seems very sorry.”

William reportedly responded “Do you think I deserved that” before questioning “Is that what you mean?” The lip-reader claims Kate repeats her earlier observation to her husband. Royal commentator Christo Foufas was quick to emphasise that Andrew did not actually extend an apology to the Prince of Wales.

He stated: “He might have seemed sorry Princess Catherine but those words did not leave his mouth, he didn’t actually say sorry did he.”

Andrew was relieved of his royal titles a month following the Duchess of Kent’s funeral, amidst mounting scrutiny over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His elder brother also instructed him to vacate his 30-room Royal Lodge residence.

Subsequently, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, amid allegations he disclosed sensitive information to the paedophile during his tenure as UK trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. He was released under investigation and has yet to face charges.

The former Duke of York has consistently refuted any impropriety stemming from the friendship. This morning, the US Department of Justice unveiled a fresh batch of documents, part of the so-called Epstein files.

Included were low-resolution photos depicting a man who appears to be Andrew, seated with a woman on his lap. The Express suggests these were likely captured at Epstein’s residence.

In another photo, the man is seen with a woman positioned over his shoulders. There is no confirmation that this is the ex-prince, according to the Express. The identities of the women have been redacted in the files.

Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie has stepped down this week from her role as patron of the Anti-Slavery International charity. She received praise for her contributions “across the board with leaders in the fight against modern slavery” but her profile has since been taken down from the organisation’s website.

The charity issued a statement confirming the patronage had “come to an end”. Speaking to the Observer, it said: “After seven years, our patronage from HRH Princess Eugenie of York has come to an end. We thank the Princess very much for her support for Anti-Slavery International. We hope that she continues to work to end slavery.”

Anti-Slavery International holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest human rights organisation. Established in 1839 in London, it originally operated as the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, campaigning for slavery’s abolition following the conclusion of the Transatlantic slave trade.

Its current mission centres on eliminating modern slavery. In 2017, Eugenie co-founded a separate organisation called the Anti-Slavery Collective alongside Julia de Boinville. According to the organisation’s website, she continues to serve as a trustee of the Anti-Slavery Collective.

An application to repurpose Atherton‘s Red Lion Hotel into nine new apartments has been greenlit for Chris Garvey, ushering in change for the vacant property, which has stood on Church Street in the Market Place Conservation Area.

The approved plans will also see an outbuilding transformed into a self-contained duplex-style apartment, complementing the eight one-bedroom apartments planned for the two-storey former pub.

This decision was decided on Tuesday, March 3, following a series of considerations surrounding national, regional, and local planning frameworks aimed at bolstering the regeneration of the area.

The Red Lion Hotel has been vacant since 2023, with the council acknowledging the disused property will benefit from bringing it back into use.

The commission considered the impact of developing the space into residential use, acknowledging potential benefits to the area.

One key insight was how converting the building back into occupation will contribute to the street scene – leading to visual improvements, increased natural surveillance in the area, and ultimately supporting wider town centre regeneration ambitions.

In a town centre made up predominantly of commercial premises, including some that stand vacant, the decision underscores a shift towards developing brownfield, or ‘previously developed’ sites – an approach endorsed by the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan.

This development not only aims to revive vacant properties in urban areas but also ensure the reuse of existing infrastructure and facilities to support wider sustainable growth objectives.

Another influential factor in considering the commercial building for residential conversion was the several similar establishments already present in the vicinity.

The Atherton Arms is located approximately 90 metres southeast of the site, the Jolly Nailor about 120 metres to the west, and an interactive sports club/drinking establishment is located 34 metres to the south of the site – offering similar services and diminishing the critical need for another public house in the area.

For residents, the new apartment development provides a sustainable urban living option, with the town centre location offering regular bus links to neighbouring local centres like Wigan, Leigh, and Tyldesley and the Leigh Guided Busway, connecting to Manchester City Centre.

The proposed residential use exceeds the density requirements set out within the relevant policy.

There were two representations received during the period of publicity, a proposal welcomed by one respondent who noted additional daytime custom to Atherton High Street, while objections raised concerns over the suitability of the access point and potential conflicts with vehicular traffic.

The proposed development is expected to have a low impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, considering the minimal external changes planned and the existing state of the property.

The transformation requires modifications like the installation of replacement window frames, with some windows in the rear elevation enlarged.

Importantly, improvements are set to be made to safeguard greenery and biodiversity in the area, with the new development plan including a detailed landscape scheme.

This scheme includes retaining a group of three trees at the southern boundary of the site and plans to ensure the site, which still harbours play equipment from its public house days, features biodiversity enhancements like the integration of a bird and bat box.

With no objections from the Environmental Protection team subject to conditions relating to air quality, and noise assessments stated as satisfactory, the new Red Lion Hotel apartments are on course.

Resurrection Records on Elliott Street in Tyldesley opened its doors in October last year in the hopes of introducing younger residents to vinyl records.

Opened by Lynsey Boardman, 43 and partner, Mark, 55, the shop boasts vinyl records from classic artists such as the Rolling Stones to modern pop stars like Taylor Swift, including local performers such as The Lottery Winners.

The shop is expanding into the site next work (Image: Newsquest)

The shop is now expanding into a larger venue next door due to the ongoing success of the shop.

Lynsey said: “Mark has always worked as a DJ and it has always been his dream to open a record shop.

Resurrection Records on Elliott St, Tyldesley (Image: Newsquest)

“When we first opened in Tyldesley, people were saying that we wouldn’t last six months, but we’ve been really busy, and we have all types of people coming in each week.

“There are kids that come in as young as 14 and they’re listening to Marvin Gaye or the Rolling Stones because they’ve grown up hearing their parents play it. Then we have some older residents that come in to hear the songs they loved growing up.

“That’s why it’s really important because music brings people together.”

The expansion of the shop will see a larger range of records on sale, a collectors’ section, listening booths, arcade games, coffee and cake, as well as live music performances and album signings taking place in store, with an emphasis on amplifying local voices.

Resurrection Records on Elliott St, Tyldesley (Image: Newsquest)

“It’ll be a great place to relax and meet new people, even if someone comes in and doesn’t buy anything, we love that they can just look through and listen to the records”, Lynsey added.

Resurrection Records’ has done more than simply last six months, it has created a space for music lovers, of all ages from Tyldesley, to come together to share a common passion.